South Bay Digest

Rancho P.V. : Bus Study Approved

The City Council approved participation in a study to determine the feasibility of expanding Hermosa Manhattan Coastal Commuter Bus (Herman) service to include Rancho Palos Verdes residents.

Herman, sponsored by the cities of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, transports commuting aerospace employees to work in El Segundo.

Manhattan Beach is reevaluating its participation because of the $54-per-hour operating costs, low patronage and lack of insurance coverage. As a result, the Hermosa Beach staff, which administers the service, has hired an interim operator at a lower rate and has obtained insurance while the study is under way.

The cost of the study and completion date are not known at this time, said Rancho Palos Verdes Councilwoman Jacki Bacharach.

Should the city elect to join Herman, its participation will be funded by special county taxes earmarked for public transportation.